Quiz: What Should I Make for Dinner?
Take our quiz and we'll help you figure out what to cook!
The best-case scenario for dinner is that you have something waiting in the Crock-Pot or made a thoughtful week-long meal plan on Sunday. But not every day is a best-case scenario. When you have to rush out the door, forget friends are coming over for a meal or have zero ideas about what to make for dinner, we’re here to help.
Before you start cooking, take a look at 10 meal prep tricks from Ree Drummond. (I love the one about how to prep your workspace.) You’ll have dinner on the table in no time flat.
Even More Delicious Dinner Ideas
One-Skillet LasagnaThis is hands-down one of the best skillet lasagna recipes our testing panel has ever tasted. And with classic flavors and cheesy layers, it’s definitely kid-friendly. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Spinach and Feta Stuffed ChickenMy chicken bundles are simple, clean and comforting. Serve them with wild rice and green beans for one of our favorite meals. —Jim Knepper, Mount Holly Springs, Pennsylvania
Shrimp in Cream SauceLooking for an extra-special Christmas Eve entree to delight your busy crowd? My family always manages to make time for this rich shrimp dish. We enjoy it over golden egg noodles.
Best Salisbury SteakFinding the best Salisbury steak recipe is hard! I remember enjoying it often when I was growing up, but when I decided to add it to my recipe collection, I wasn't able to find it in my modern cookbooks. I came up with these ingredients on my own and experimented until it tasted like the dish I remembered. —Faye Hintz, Springfield, Missouri
Spiced SalmonThis delicious, moist fish is very quick and easy to prepare. It gets a little sweetness from brown sugar, but overall the seasonings are mild and give this dish broad appeal. It's a wonderful way to enjoy healthy salmon.—Donna Reynolds, Innisfail, Alberta
Pork Chops & MushroomsMy mother-in-law gave me this recipe years ago, and I have used it ever since. My family loves the sweetness with a little kick.—Hilary Rigo, Wickenburg, Arizona
Easy Chicken CreoleWhile I was growing up, my family spent time in Haiti, where we enjoyed eating many authentic dishes just like this easy chicken Creole recipe. It's now a meal my husband requests often. —Maxine Weaver, Petersburg, West Virginia
Shrimp with Warm German-Style ColeslawWe love anything that is tangy or has bacon. With fennel and tarragon, this is a super savory dish. I use the medley from Minute Rice if I don't have time to make my own. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Portobello FajitasI serve portobello fajitas family-style so guests can build their own. Just pass the tortillas and garnishes like salsa, cheese, guacamole and sour cream. —Carolyn Butterfield, Lake Stevens, Washington
Quick Coq au VinThis quick coq au vin recipe is really fabulous served with rice. I love being able to fix this gourmet dish in 30 minutes and still have it turn out so delicious. To reduce fat, I use chicken tenderloin pieces or skinless chicken breasts. —Judy VanCoetsem, Cortland, New York
Cowboy StewI made up this dish back in the early 1970s when I was down to very little food in the house. Since it's combination of barbecue sauce, hamburger, hot dogs and beans, this one-skillet meal makes both children and adults happy.
Peppery Herbed Turkey TenderloinI won the North Carolina Turkey Cook-Off one year with these full-flavored tenderloins in rich sauce. Marinating the turkey in wine, garlic, rosemary and thyme gives it a fantastic taste. —Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida
Beef Steaks with Blue CheeseMy guests often ask for this winning recipe and are surprised at how simple it is to prepare.
Dijon-Crusted FishDijon, Parmesan and a hint of horseradish give this toasty fish lots of flavor. The preparation is so easy, it takes just 5 to 7 minutes to get 4 servings ready for the oven. —Scott Schmidtke, Chicago, Illinois
Baked Orange ChickenThis baked orange chicken is a quick and elegant recipe. It can easily be doubled or tripled for company. I like to serve mine with a baked potato. —Pamela Siple, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
Sweet Onion & Sausage SpaghettiSweet onion seasons turkey, adding rich flavor to this wholesome pasta dish. I toss it together with light cream, basil and tomatoes for a quick, springy meal in minutes. —Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York
Chicken with Cherry Wine SauceMy dad's a chef, so I learned to cook at an early age. This saucy chicken was the first dish I made by myself. —Ben Diaz, Azusa, California
Salmon with Root VegetablesThis cozy hash is loaded with protein and healthy fats that keep you going on busy days. We've been known to devour it at breakfast, lunch and dinner! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Apple & Spice Pork TenderloinMy family loves pork tenderloin, so I created this hearty meal. The slightly sweet dish is one of our favorites. It's also an impressive dish for company.—Joyce Moynihan, Lakeville, Minnesota.
Shrimp ScampiThis shrimp scampi recipe looks elegant enough to serve to company, but it’s easy to prepare. The bright flavors of lemon and herbs enhance the shrimp. Serve it over pasta and wait for the compliments. —Lori Packer, Omaha, Nebraska
Zippy Breaded Pork ChopsNeed a perky update for baked breaded pork chops? These chops with ranch dressing and a light breading will bring a delightful zing to your dinner table. —Ann Ingalls, Gladstone, Missouri
Lemon-Butter Tilapia with AlmondsSometimes I want a nice meal without a ton of effort or wait time. Thankfully, I have this lemony, buttery fish that's super fast and totally tasty. —Ramona Parris, Canton, Georgia
One-Skillet Pork Chop SupperMy husband, Clark, and I reserve this recipe for Sundays after the grandkids have gone home and we're too tired to prepare a big meal. It's comforting and quick. —Kathy Thompson, Port Orange, Florida
Spaghetti Meatball SupperIt was such a joy to come home and find my mom making spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. This recipe has always been dear to my heart. —Debbie Heggie, Laramie, Wyoming
Lemon-Dijon Pork Sheet-Pan SupperMost nights I need something that I can get on the table with minimal effort and delicious results. This sheet-pan supper has become an all-time favorite, not only because of its bright flavors but also because of its speedy cleanup time. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Chicken Ole Foil SupperThese Tex Mex–style chicken packets can be assembled ahead and frozen if you like. Just thaw them overnight in the fridge, then grill as directed. I like to serve them with warm tortillas and fresh fruit on the side. —Mary Peck, Salina, Kansas
Soupy Chicken Noodle SupperAt least once a week my six-year-old son, also known as Doctor John, hands me a “prescription” for chicken noodle soup. Needless to say, I'm always happy to fill it. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota
Citrus-Mustard Roasted ChickenTender roast chicken is an elegant dish that's easy to make. We love the tang of orange and lemon slices and the subtle heat from mustard. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma
Spanish Sausage SupperThe wife of a pastor shared her recipe for this colorful all-in-one skillet meal that she frequently brings to church dinners. Hearty chunks of smoked sausage and canned tomatoes with chiles add just the right amount of zip. —Gene Pitts, Wilsonville, Alabama
Skillet Steak SupperWith all the ingredients cooked in one skillet, this steak dish couldn't be quicker to prepare—or to clean up! But the wine and mushroom sauce makes it seem special. —Sandra Fisher, Missoula, Montana
Garlic Lime ShrimpOur son, a restaurant owner, showed me how to make this Garlic Lime Shrimp dish. I take advantage of this area's ample shrimp supply and make this special entree often. It's also tasty served over rice. —Gertraud Casbarro, Summerville, South Carolina
Beef Roast DinnerBecause this healthy dish is slow-cooked, you can use less expensive roasts with results as mouthwatering as the more costly cuts. Change up the veggies for variety, nutrition or to suit your tastes!—Sandra Dudley, Bemidji, Minnesota
Pierogi Chicken SupperChicken, cheese and onion combine with frozen pierogi to give dinner a change of pace. Best part is, it takes just 30 minutes to get this satisfying skillet supper on the table. —Barbara Scott, Walkersville, Maryland
Pot Roast with Asian Black Bean SauceI love stir-fry with black bean sauce. This recipe takes the delicious flavor of black bean sauce and joins it with fork-tender pot roast. —Judy Lawson, Chelsea, Michigan
Slow-Cooker SauerbratenMy family is of German Lutheran descent, and although we enjoy this traditional beef roast, I never liked the amount of time and fuss it takes to make it. This recipe is so good and oh-so-easy. It's great served with dumplings, spaetzle, veggies or a salad. —Norma English, Baden, Pennsylvania
Sunday Chicken SupperI make this slow-cooked sensation with chicken, vegetables and seasonings. It's a hearty, homespun dish that satisfies the biggest appetites. —Ruthann Martin, Louisville, Ohio
Ranchero SupperThis hearty dish is fast and easy to fix after a busy workday. We like to use hickory and bacon baked beans and serve it with fruit or a green salad for a complete meal. —Karen Roberts, Lawrence, Kansas
Slow-Cooker Faux Prime Rib RoastThis is my first original recipe, inspired by a great holiday dinner with friends. I wanted to see if I could do something similar with a less expensive cut of meat. The Faux Prime Rib Roast can also be baked in a covered Dutch oven at 350° for about 1-1/2 hours or until 165°. The beef is also delicious served with regular or horseradish mashed potatoes. —Kimberly Kuhlman, Bryan, Texas
Moroccan Pot RoastMy husband loves meat and I love veggies, so we're both happy with this spicy twist on beefy pot roast. With garbanzo beans, eggplant, honey and mint, it's like something you'd eat at a Marrakech bazaar. —Catherine Dempsey, Clifton Park, New York
Sausage Potato SupperOne Saturday night a few years ago, I came up with this dish on the spur of the moment. It was dinnertime, and I had to use what I had on hand. It's been a hit with my family ever since. —Nancy Russell, Englewood, Colorado
Spaghetti & Meatball Skillet SupperI developed this one-skillet spaghetti and meatball dish to cut down on cooking time on busy nights. The beans, artichokes and tomatoes bump up the nutrition factor, while the lemon and parsley make it pop with brightness. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Italian Chicken Skillet SupperRomano cheese, sliced vegetables and pine nuts jazz up this Italian sauteed chicken. It’s easy, and my whole family loves it. —Barbara Lento, Houston, Pennsylvania
Root Vegetable Pot RoastDuring the hectic holiday season, I make this roast a lot. We've scarfed it down before and after shopping, and while wrapping presents. Root vegetables and roast beef make everyone feel cozy and calm. —Pat Dazis, Charlotte, North Carolina
Slow-Cooked Sunday ChickenHere’s a hearty dish for two that satisfies the biggest appetites. It’s loaded with good old-fashioned flavor. —Ruthann Martin, Louisville, Ohio
Church Supper SpaghettiBecause this recipe feeds so many, I often take it to church dinners and potlucks. This colorful dish also comes in handy when we have lots of help to feed on our farm. —Verlyn Wilson, Wilkinson, Indiana
Citrus-Herb Roast ChickenThis dish is one of my all-time favorites. The flavorful, juicy chicken combines with the aromas of spring in fresh herbs, lemon and onions to form the perfect one-pot meal. I make the gravy right in the pan. —Megan Fordyce, Fairchance, Pennsylvania
Hawaiian Pork Roast with PineappleThis is one of my favorite slow cooker recipes. It’s wonderful with rice or potatoes and any vegetable. It also reheats well for lunch the next day. —Ruth Chiarenza La Vale, Maryland
Hearty Skillet SupperWhen the weather starts turning cooler, I start to hear requests for this dish. The light soy, onion and garlic flavors blend nicely with fresh carrots and potatoes in this budget-minded recipe. —Pat Jensen, Cottonwood, Minnesota
Sweet-and-Sour SupperMy mother shared this recipe, which I've been making for my family for years. The homemade sweet-and-sour sauce is the key to this dish's success. —Dorothy Reimer, Dewberry, Alberta
Zucchini Pork Chop SupperMy mom gave me a recipe for zucchini casserole and I added the meat because I was trying to make a one-dish supper. I look forward to fresh zucchini now. —Linda Martin, Rhinebeck, New York
Savory Beef & Cabbage SupperMy beef and cabbage supper began as an idea for a gluten-free Reuben sandwich. We also make this dish with smoked sausage. It’s comforting on cooler days. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Tasty Lentil TacosWhen my husband's cholesterol numbers rose, I quickly lowered the fat in our family's diet. Finding dishes that were healthy for him and yummy for our five children was a challenge, but this fun taco recipe was a huge hit with everyone. —Michelle Thomas, Bangor, Maine
Beef Skillet SupperSometimes I'll make extra of this comforting, noodle-y supper to guarantee leftovers. It's a great take-along dish for work or school. Trim calories from the entree by substituting ground turkey for the beef and low-fat cheese for the full-fat cheddar. —Tabitha Allen, Cypress, Texas
Originally Published: November 05, 2018
Lara is a writer, editor and gardener who loves to cook almost as much as she loves to eat. She will absolutely hop on a plane in search of good food!